LES || matt sturniolo ( ✓ )

𝟎𝟒𝟖. she's lucky to have you

CHAPTER 048 -
╰┈➤ ' she's lucky to have you ' ೃ⁀➷ 
「 real life 」

─ real life ☾

MATT WAS JUST SLIDING HIS SNEAKERS ON BY THE FRONT DOOR, his fingers lazily looping the laces, when he heard footsteps behind him. he glanced over his shoulder, expecting to see vivienne, but instead, rio stood there, arms crossed over his chest.

matt straightened, the air between them tightening, but he kept his expression neutral. "what's up?" he asked, his tone carefully casual.

rio hesitated for a second, his jaw working like he was trying to find the right words. finally, he sighed and shifted his weight, eyes flicking toward the hallway where vivienne's room was. "i need a favor."

matt's eyebrows lifted in surprise, but he didn't let it show. "from me?"

rio rolled his eyes. "yeah, from you. don't make it weird."

matt's lips twitched, but he stayed quiet. he could tell whatever rio was about to ask wasn't easy for him.

rio took a breath, his eyes narrowing slightly, like he was bracing himself. "i want to get viv a present. something she'll actually like. and... i could use your help."

matt blinked, genuinely taken aback. of all the things he expected, that hadn't been on the list.

"you're serious?" matt asked, making sure he wasn't mishearing things.

rio's expression hardened, like he was about to backtrack. "look, if you're gonna be a—"

"no, no," matt interrupted quickly, holding up his hands. "i'll help. just... surprised, that's all."

rio looked away, scratching the back of his neck. "yeah, well. you know her better than i do lately." the words came out grudgingly, but there was a thread of honesty beneath them.

matt nodded, something softening in his chest. he didn't gloat, didn't tease. "yeah. i'm in. when do you wanna go?"

"now?" rio suggested, his tone more hesitant than usual. "before i change my mind."

matt smirked, grabbing his jacket. "lead the way."

the ride to the mall was quiet, the radio playing low, filling the awkward silences. rio's knuckles were tight around the steering wheel, his jaw set in that same stubborn way that matt recognized from their countless standoffs. but for once, the tension between them wasn't hostile, just uncertain.

"so," matt said, breaking the silence, "any idea what kind of thing you want to get her? or are we just winging it?"

rio exhaled, eyes fixed on the road. "i want it to be personal, you know? not just some random thing."

matt nodded. "yeah, i get that." he thought for a second, trying to filter through the things vivienne liked. "what about something that ties into one of her hobbies? books, art, music?"

rio's brow furrowed. "she's always drawing or writing. i don't know what she has already, though."

matt leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "good thing you brought me along."

rio shot him a side-eye, the corner of his mouth twitching. "don't get cocky."

"too late," matt said, grinning.

the hint of a smile tugged at rio's lips before he shook his head, his expression settling back into something neutral.

the mall was bustling, the weekend crowd making everything feel a little chaotic. matt shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, walking beside rio as they navigated the stores.

"she likes those indie shops," matt said, nodding toward a smaller store tucked between two big-name brands. the windows were lined with art prints, handmade notebooks, and quirky knick-knacks.

they stepped inside, the scent of old paper and candles filling the air.

rio wandered toward a shelf of leather-bound journals, running his fingers over the spines. "think she'd like one of these?"

matt considered it, then nodded. "she's always scribbling stuff down. she'd probably love it if you wrote something inside the cover too."

rio's eyes narrowed. "like what?"

matt shrugged. "i don't know. something brotherly. something only you could say."

rio huffed, but there was a glimmer of thoughtfulness in his eyes as he picked up one of the journals, testing its weight in his hand. "maybe."

they moved through the store, matt occasionally pointing out things he knew vivienne would like, an art print that matched the aesthetic of her room, a set of delicate sketch pencils she'd mentioned wanting once. rio listened, nodding, but his eyes kept drifting back to the journal.

eventually, rio took a deep breath and grabbed the journal, heading for the counter. "this'll work."

matt smiled slightly, not saying anything as rio paid. he knew when to push and when to let things be.

as they walked back through the mall, rio held the bag loosely in one hand. the silence between them felt easier now, like they'd both silently agreed to call a truce, even if just for today.

"thanks," rio muttered after a minute, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

matt glanced at him, surprised. "for what?"

rio sighed, his jaw tight. "for not making this a big deal. and... for being there for viv."

matt's smirk softened into something genuine. "i care about her. i'm not going anywhere."

rio nodded slowly, his eyes flicking toward matt with something that almost looked like acceptance. "just... don't screw it up."

matt chuckled. "trust me, i'm trying not to."

they reached the parking lot, the air crisp and cool. as rio unlocked the car, matt paused, his hand on the door handle.

"she's lucky to have you, you know," matt said, his voice low. "even if you're a pain in the ass."

rio snorted, shaking his head. "takes one to know one."

matt laughed, the sound light, as he climbed into the car.

maybe things weren't perfect yet, but for the first time, it felt like they were on the right track.

evie speaks
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